We saw Johnny Duhan in a very small, intimate, concert in Ennis last year. Last weekend we saw Christy Moore in concert in Limerick. This song, written by Johnny Duhan and sung by Christy Moore, has always struck a cord with me.
I am a sailor, you’re my first mate
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
Hauled up our anchor, determined not to fail
For the hearts treasure, together we set sailWith no maps to guide us we steered our own course
Rode out the storms when the winds were gale force
Sat out the doldrums in patience and hope
Working together we learned how to copeChorus:
Life is an ocean and love is a boat
In troubled water that keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage, there was just me and you
Now gathered round us, we have our own crewTogether we’re in this relationship
We built it with care to last the whole trip
Our true destination’s not marked on any charts
We’re navigating to the shores of the heartChorus 2x
– Johnny Duhan
Here’s a video of Christy Moore and Johnny Duhan talking about the song and singing it together.
Not this... 
The only thing I’d ever heard by Christy Moore before was his amazingly good cover (reinvention, really) of Elvis Costello’s Deportee’s Club. Looks like I need to look for more.
One of my favourite songs too. I must update my Christy Moore collections – currently still all on tape! Tim – drop me an email sometime – it must be about 20 years since we last met. Remember me saying on the riverboat trip on the Thames that I would be a millionaire by starting up my own business? Well -I’m not :) Cheers Judy.
Judy, hi! The riverboat trip on the Thames, ah yes, happy (though now somewhat hazy) memories! I’ll be in touch…